Tax return plans ‘are a step too far’

Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said that the impact of the EU referendum vote had already started to show

The government must delay a contentious tax overhaul to avoid undermining fragile economic confidence, the Federation of Small Businesses has warned.

The employers’ group has called for a moratorium on plans to force small businesses and the self-employed to file tax returns four times a year, instead of once.

It believes that the change, which comes after an update of workplace pensions, a higher minimum wage, changes to dividend taxation and, for some companies, rising business rates is putting too much strain on the sector. Small business confidence is in negative territory for the first time in four years, the FSB said.

In its submission to the chancellor ahead of the autumn statement, the FSB also called for greater incentives to encourage employment and investment…

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